Know Your Rights: Safety

January 24, 2018 11:00

During Free Speech Week 2017, RTDNA co-hosted a Know Your Reporting Rights discussion addressing how the First Amendment applies to journalists. Here is part three of a new series expanding on the topics and tips in that discussion (Part 1: FOIA, Part 2: Privacy). This week: safety.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 44 journalists were killed on duty around the world in 2017. For many around the world, particularly covering conflict, journalism is not safe.

Thankfully, journalism is still a relatively safe profession in the United States, with extreme tragedies remaining extremely rare.

But it is not completely safe. In 2017, at least 44 journalists were physically attacked, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, of which RTDNA is a founding partner.

The problem isn’t new. In 2012, RTDNA noted an increase in attacks on and thefts from news crews primarily in the Bay Area. By 2015, the trend had not abated and was covered in a special session at that year’s conference.

Now, increasingly vitriolic anti-news media rhetoric has made local crews across the country more susceptible to verbal and even physical threats or attacks while pursuing their First Amendment right to report the news, and your stations’ crews should always be prepared. Even if you are acting within your rights, you may be interacting with confused, aggressive, or even hostile individuals.

Potentially hostile situations
Journalists are most at risk when covering potentially hostile situations such as protests or reporting from events with large crowds. Plan well ahead for these types of assignments.

Emotionally charged situations
Your assignment doesn’t have to seem risky for safety to be a concern, however. Many other stories you may be covering involve heightened emotions. You may be interviewing people at the worst moment in their lives, victims of crime or tragedy.

Our code of ethics reminds us that children, victims, and vulnerable populations warrant special consideration when newsgathering.

It's also a good idea to work such assignments in pairs. If you must be alone (we hear you, MMJs) always let someone know where you are. Consider alternate ways to cover crime scenes, such as maps or photos, or leaving when police or other officials do.

Every day encounters
Even every day liveshots or MOS can bring risk too, so it’s important to always be prepared. Remember that every time you go out in the field, you are representing your organization, and the best way to stop aggression or even violence is to prevent it.

Always be polite and respectful.

Talk to the public. Explain why you’re doing what you’re doing.

Whenever you can, ask permission before recording.

Do not run, chase or shove a microphone into anyone’s face.

Don’t assume the worst- someone may simply not know that you are acting within your rights.

Even if you are in the right, engaging in an argument, especially on camera, may not be constructive.

Remember that your safety is more important than the story. Stay tuned next week for part 4: reporting rights & social media. For more on privacy, FOIA and what your newsroom needs to know before heading into any potentially confrontational story, download our Know Your Reporting Rights guide.